Dealing Double

by Tamra Baumann

  “No need at all.” Annalisa held out a hand to help Gabby out of the chair. “Now let’s go try on some of the things I picked out for you. And then you can tell me all about you and Jake.”

  “Me and Jake?” She cut her eyes toward Dani. What was she supposed to say?

  Dani nodded. “You know, Gabby. How you guys have been spending so much time together. And how you convinced him to take a whole month away from work because he needed to relax for a change. He’d hardly ever taken a full weekend off for me, so he’s obviously enamored with you.”

  “Enamored?” Gabby’s cheeks heated. Annalisa knew Jake far better than Gabby did. But she knew some things about him. “I think Jake finally figured out he needed some time off on his own. To reflect and learn to like his own company. He has so many off-limit topics he needs to face before he’ll be truly happy.” His suspension wasn’t her story to tell.

  Dani quickly said, “Jake discussed the touching issues the first night he met her, Mom.”

  Gabby added, “And later, his claustrophobia, as well as the pain of his brother never coming home.”

  Annalisa’s brows arched. “Really? He’s told you all that? It took Dani years to learn about Jake’s skeletons. I think that says a lot. And I think we need to pick out a few extra outfits for you to wear in London. Have to be prepared for anything, right?”

  Gabby was still focused on all of Jake’s skeletons. But she managed a smile anyway. “This is so generous of you, Annalisa. Thank you.”

  “It’s nothing.” She waved a hand. “You taking these gives me room to buy new. Let’s try this first.”

  Gabby stood with her arms out like a paper doll as Dani and Annalisa draped clothes on her to see if it matched her coloring. She should be checking out the rows and rows of designer handbags and shoes because she’d never see a collection so great again, but her concern for Jake filled her mind. He really did need someone he could talk to about his past. She had her aunt, who understood what it was like to change her identity, hide, and have secrets her whole life, having been married to her mobster uncle until he was killed.

  That’s what Jake needed. Someone with a messed-up past like hers who could understand his pain and anger. Maybe then he’d be able to have that family he said he wanted.

  Jake’s most pressing problem loomed at the airport, though. “Dani, what’d be the best thing to help Jake get through the long flight tonight?”

  Annalisa chuckled as she packed the fourth outfit away in a leather satchel that lay open on the center island. “I find having sex with an attractive man the best way to make any flight go faster, Gabby.”

  “Stop.” Dani swatted her mother’s arm. “She doesn’t want to hear about your mile-high-club adventures, Mother.”

  Gabby asked, “Do either of you have some over-the-counter sleeping pills Jake can take?” Because Jake was an incredibly handsome man who might tempt her to try sex on a plane for the first time. He’d be a lot less appealing and unable to flirt his way into her pants if he was incapacitated.

  Annalisa nodded. “I’ll go get the pills. He probably won’t take them, but you can try. I still say sex would be the better answer.”

  After Annalisa had left the closet, Dani whispered, “Sorry about that. I told my mom you guys were a serious couple looking for a nice vacation so she’d lend you her plane. How’s it going with you and Jake?” Dani laid a pair of black stilettos at Gabby’s feet.

  Gabby slipped into a luxurious, silky dark-blue dress, stepped into the buttery-soft shoes, and then turned for Dani to zip her up. “He just told me he was a cop, so you can imagine how well I took that.”

  “Yeah. I figured.” Dani swept Gabby’s long hair over her shoulder and then pulled up the zipper. “But you guys need to get past that part. Be a team when you get to London, okay?” Dani laid her hands on Gabby’s shoulders and gave a quick squeeze. “You’ll be staying in my mother’s house in Mayfair. There’ll be security during your stay, so you’ll be safe there, but be careful, okay? My dreams showed the people who want that statue are dangerous.”

  Gabby studied her reflection in the mirror. She wore a designer dress, had beautifully styled hair, and makeup covered up her freckles. She almost didn’t recognize herself. “Do you know who those people are?”

  “No. I only got bits and pieces.” Dani huffed out a breath. “I know Jake can come off as bossy, but there’s no one I’d trust more with my life than him. And for the record, he flirts and teases a lot, but he’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met. He’d never betray you, Gabby.”

  “He’d arrest my father in a heartbeat.” Something she’d best not forget. She’d never forgive herself if her relationship with Jake caused her father to be arrested.

  Dani nodded. “He would. Because he wouldn’t see it as a betrayal to you. He believes in the oath he took when he became a police officer. But that doesn’t mean Jake is incapable of bending a few rules. Just be sure you keep your father as far away from Jake as you can.”

  “That’s the plan. We have to get past my bodyguards first, though. They’re probably waiting for me at the airport.

  “Good luck.” Dani gave Gabby a hug. “I’ll look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.”

  “Thanks.”

  Annalisa returned with the bottle of pills and handed them over. “Here you go.” Then she tied a scarf over Gabby’s head and slipped a pair of oversize Chanel sunglasses onto her face. “When you get out of the limo, throw your shoulders back and glide across that tarmac like you mean it. Enjoy your adventures in London, Gabby.”

  When Annalisa drew her into a tight hug, Gabby smiled. How had these wonderful, generous ladies come into her life? She hated that she’d probably never see them again if her plans to disappear worked out as she’d hoped. Every time she watched a movie Annalisa starred in, Gabby would always have a warm memory, at least.

  As they approached the private tarmac, Jake closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. He needed to focus on getting Gabby onto the plane and past the guards, not on the long flight ahead. The dark tinted windows in the limo would get them close, but those last few feet were the kicker. Even though it was dark outside.

  He turned to Gabby. “Your bodyguards know your mannerisms, so just—”

  “I’ve got this, Jake. Annalisa told me what to do. She also gave me some sleeping pills for you to take once we get underway.”

  Ignoring the pill comment, he said, “When we stop, wait for me to come around and open your door. Grab my arm and head straight for the steps. I’m going to assume that’s your father’s plane right there, because there’s Sal loading a bag.”

  Gabby whispered, “Dammit,” under her breath as she scanned the tarmac. Then she said, “Our pilot still has to file a flight plan even though it’s Annalisa, right?”

  “Yep.” He pulled out his field glasses and spotted the paparazzi right where Dani said they’d be. “Annalisa is going to France. To visit an ailing friend. Dani put the word out on social media in case your goons are smart enough to check on this plane. We’ll get ourselves to London from there without filing another flight plan. And avoid the London airport where your guards will be waiting for you. Sal is only yards away.” He glanced at her. “You look beautiful tonight, Gabby, but you’re taller and not as curvy as Annalisa in the hips. A fan, and especially a male one, might notice that up close.”

  Gabby’s eyes grew wide. “What are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to hope your protection squad is still monitoring the credit card I took from your wallet.” He grabbed his phone and texted his friend. Telling her to put their plan in place.

  The driver called out, “I’ll unload the luggage, while you guys sit tight.”

  After the front door had slammed shut, Gabby said, “You stole my credit card?” She shook her head and crossed her arms. “You could’ve just asked, Jake. Don’t keep me in the dark like I can’t handle the truth. You’re as bad as my father. I should just di
tch you once we get to London.”

  He tucked his phone away. “I sent you a text while I was loading up our luggage. You were too busy being primped apparently to look at your phone. We needed a plan B.”

  “Oh.” Gabby reached for her phone. “Wait. What’s this new app?”

  “It’s a tracker. In case we get separated. It’s all explained in the text. Along with how you should be more discreet when you type in your phone’s password.” When her lips thinned with annoyance, he reached out and laid a hand on her leg. “And please don’t ditch me in London. I’ll be scared all alone.”

  “Funny.” Gabby swatted his hand away and then crossed her arms again. “Maybe I’ll send you a text explaining how I secretly drugged you with sleeping pills tonight. You could read it after we land.”

  “Touché.” He smiled as he peered through the glasses. “There’s Louie coming down the steps of your dad’s plane. He’s probably in a hurry because you just got charged for a flight to Dallas that connects to London. You’ll be heading toward security any minute now.” He noted the call numbers on her father’s Gulfstream, then typed them into his phone.

  She watched him as he typed in the information. “Don’t bother. I’m telling my dad you know that belongs to him now.” Gabby put Annalisa’s sunglasses on. “The ticket was a good idea.”

  “We’re not out of the woods yet.” He gave her a soft shoulder bump. “I’ll come around and open your door. Put your phone against your right ear, and let’s roll.”

  He tugged down his baseball cap and jogged to the other side of the limo, keeping his face lowered. It was dark, but there’d be security footage her guards might watch later, so he’d left his cowboy boots at home. His white T-shirt, black sweats, and tennis shoes were as nondescript as it got.

  When he opened Gabby’s door, her hand was the first to emerge, and her fingers dangled in front of his chest. He stifled his grin as he helped her out. Her normally chipped nails were light pink with white tips now. One long, sexy leg and then the next slinked out of the limo. She beamed a bright smile and said, “Thank you, Blondie.”

  He tucked her arm through his as she added an enticing sway to her hips and strutted on her high heels to the steps. He held a hand out, indicating she should go first, and then he followed her up the steps. “Blondie?”

  She whispered, “That’s for all the times you called me ‘Red.’”

  He followed close behind as they climbed. “It’s how I restrained myself from calling you babe.” He moved his mouth near her ear. “Are we good after the credit card thing? I don’t want you to think I’m not a team player. I’d never keep you in the dark on purpose.”

  She nodded so he wouldn’t push any further.

  Once inside the plane, Cindy, one of Annalisa’s two usual flight attendants, greeted them. “Welcome aboard. Nice to see you again, Jake. If you’ll choose your seats, we’ll be on our way shortly. Champagne to start, Ms. Knight?”

  “That’d be lovely. Thanks.” Gabby smiled as she slipped into one of the big captain’s chairs, looking as calm as he wished he felt. Just stepping through the cabin door always sent waves of tension through his body. He reminded himself to take deep breaths.

  “The usual for you, Jake?” The smile Cindy sent him was filled with invitation. “And maybe a relaxing shoulder massage later?”

  “Just the beer, thanks. How long until we’re cleared for takeoff?”

  “The captain said they needed some additional paperwork, so another fifteen or twenty minutes probably. Be right back with those drinks.”

  As Cindy disappeared into the galley, Jake glanced around the familiar cabin with its big leather seats, couches, and dining table for six. Annalisa had added a work desk in the rear by the bedroom that hadn’t been there before. Maybe he’d use the new computer on that desk to pass the time, get lost in a war game or something.

  After wiping the sweat from his upper lip, he grabbed their awaiting carry-on luggage and stowed it in a side bin. He sat in one of the large swivel chairs beside Gabby and peered out the window. “All that pomp and circumstance helped get you on the plane. It won’t take long for your guards to think they missed you before you got through security, though. They’ll probably be back soon. Then try to beat you to London. Be waiting at the airport there for you. I wish I could’ve bought us more time.”

  Gabby’s calm expression turned pinched as she glanced out the window. “I’ll buy us some more time. Hand me your knife, Jake.”

  “What are you thinking?” He pulled out the knife strapped to his leg but stopped short of handing it over.

  “I’m not going to be a team player, that’s for sure.” Gabby stood and grabbed her backpack from the bin. “Especially when my teammate is a cop who’d arrest me for slashing tires on a plane. But technically, it’s my family’s plane, so no harm, no foul. Be right back.”

  He jumped up, followed her to the bedroom, then closed the door behind them. “I can’t let you do that. There are security cameras out there. Tampering with an aircraft is a federal offense.”

  “Unzip me, please. Quick.” She turned her back to him. “You forget something, Jake. Bad guys don’t report crimes. They’ll know I did it to slow them down.”

  The silky material slithered down her body and left him breathless. And wanting to touch. Badly. It made it hard to think with her standing in front of him in just her bra, skimpy red panties, and heels. He was going to be thinking about that the whole flight. “I thought you wanted to discuss things together first.”

  She slipped the sweater she’d been wearing earlier over her head. Then she turned around and danced out of the shoes. The sight of her in just a sweater and tiny panties was going to be etched on his brain forever.

  She said, “You know this makes sense.” Gabby ruined the view when she pulled up her jeans, then sat on the bed to tie her sneakers. Then she ran to the sink, rinsed off all her makeup, and wiped her face with a towel. “Let me have your hat, please.”

  Her idea was a good one, dammit. It could slow the men down for hours if they had to have replacement parts flown in. A smaller airport might not have the right tires for Luca’s plane. Or they might rent another plane, but chances were they’d fix Luca’s.

  “Okay. Be quick about it, though.”

  He handed the cap over, and she punched it inside out so the emblem on the front wouldn’t show. Next, she stuffed all her hair up under it. The dark-blue hoodie she pulled out completed the outfit. With the loose jacket, it was hard to tell if she was male or female.

  She was better at sneaking around than he’d given her credit for. “Head down at all times, Gabby. Away from cameras.”

  She smiled and held out her hand. “I bet this is just killing your cop’s heart, isn’t it? Knife, please.”

  She was killing him, but not in the way she thought. The bold version of Gabby made him want to lock the door, throw her on the bed, and show her how much he wanted her.

  He handed her the knife and whispered, “Don’t make me have to visit you in jail.”

  “Awww. You’d visit a lowly criminal like me?” She laid a hand over her heart. “Not hate me for my crimes?”

  She wasn’t anything like his scum parents, but there was no time for that debate. “Only for the conjugal part. Now go.”

  She tucked the sheathed knife into her jacket pocket. “Be right back.” She opened the bedroom door and started to leave but stopped and turned around. “I’m still undecided about the conjugal part.” Then she turned and jogged down the aisle.

  He hoped to God she’d decide quickly. He couldn’t take much more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Gabby slipped down Annalisa’s plane’s steps into the night and walked toward her father’s aircraft. She didn’t have much time, but she didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention to herself by running, which was her first instinct.

  She needed to do enough damage so the sensors wouldn’t let them go anywhere. She didn’t want to cause
anyone harm, just delay them a bit. If her father would’ve listened to her request to call off her guards, she wouldn’t have to do what she was about to do. Or so she kept telling herself. She needed to stay focused on the greater goal. Saving international treasures.

  Watching her feet the whole time, she slipped under the wing of her father’s plane. The side farthest from the cameras that were perched on the nearby hangar. She pulled the knife from her pocket, debating how many tires she’d damage. She didn’t want to make her dad furious, just mildly annoyed.

  Holding the knife in her fist, she jabbed the point through the tough rubber. Luckily, Jake’s knife was super sharp. But she had to stab the rubber multiple times before it started to shred.

  She had to hurry. Couldn’t get caught.

  Her heart still pounded with fear as she went to work on the fourth tire, stabbing and ripping it with all her might. The adrenaline pumping overtime through her veins and the lack of oxygen to her lungs forced her to stop for a moment to catch her breath. Should she pierce the front landing gear, too? She glanced in that direction and spotted suit-clad legs and a pair of loafers standing just in front of the wing.

  All the air whooshed from her lungs. Had the man seen her?

  A familiar deep voice softly whispered, “I knew that wasn’t Annalisa.”

  She needed to run. Make a break for it.

  Tucking the knife into her jacket’s pocket, she slowly crawled away from the tires and out from under the wing.

  Just as she stood to run, her father said, “I don’t know whether I should be proud of you or lock you up forever. Get your ass on my plane right now!”

  She stopped in her tracks, then spun and faced him as a new round of panic hit. Only the wing separated them in the dark. Soft moonlight illuminated his frowning face.

  Her father was risking his freedom by standing in the open. Because of her.

  She walked slowly backward. “If I don’t get on that plane behind me in two minutes, a cop is going to be out here asking questions. Please. Go back inside. I’ll be fine. Jake will keep me safe.”